Community based breeding program for improve goat production in Liberia

Abstract

To effectively allow for ownership and sustainability of genetic improvement programs, Community Based Breeding Programs (CBBP) is designed. Village/Community based breeding programs are organized breeding activities that are planned, designed and implemented by smallholder farmers individually or in cooperation with technical stakeholders to effect genetic improvement within their livestock. In developing economies, livestock improvement is achieved through an aggressive involvement of livestock owners. In most cases, these farmers are resource poor and marginalized. Community based breeding program was organized with focus on indigenous breeds suited to smallholder conditions. The CBBP will serve as a working model for Animal Genetic Resource management in Liberia to increase productivity and improve livelihood of goat farmers. The CBBP is envisaged to increase the productivity and profitability of indigenous West Africa Dwarf goats of Liberia without undermining their resilience and genetic integrity, and without expensive interventions. The CBBP was a component under the project, survey and characterization of livestock breeds and their production system in Liberia for the development of a national strategy and action plan for animal genetic resources. The Project was supported by FAO under the technical cooperation program in Liberia. The establishment of the CBBPs for goat farmers in Liberia was very successful and should be a prototype of what is possible when all partners acknowledged the need for livestock producers to take responsibility of their own resource.